UT Vols: At 83, Johnny Majors remains Tennessee football icon

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In his last game leading the Vols, Tennessee head coach Johnny Majors waits to take the field against Vanderbilt on Saturday, Nov. 28, 1992, in Nashville. Assistant head coach Phillip Fulmer was introduced as Tennessee's new head coach the next day. KNS Archive, Paul Efird/News Sentinel

Johnny Majors, former University of Tennessee football coach, walks into Thompson-Boling Arena before a Celebration of Life service for the late Lady Vols basketball coach Pat Summitt on Thursday, July 14, 2016, at the University of Tennessee. Summitt, the winningest coach in Division I college basketball history, died June 28 of early onset Alzheimer's disease. She was 64. Caitie McMekin

One page of a scrapbook David McMahan kept during 1956. The photo is captioned "Big men in Vol success" and shows John Gordy, Johnny Majors and Buddy Cruze. McMahan, a 1960 graduate of East High School, was a fanatical fan of Johnny Majors and Buddy Cruze. They met Thursday in Dandridge to look at this scrapbook of Volunteer exploits that McMahan kept back in 1956. McMahan lives in Cherryville, N.C. and has terminal lung cancer. Michael Patrick, MICHAEL PATRICK/NEWS SENTINEL

Pittsburgh football coach Johnny Majors, left, waves goodbye to media gathered Nov. 25, 1996 at Pitt stadium for the announcement of his retirement, following this upcoming game against Rutgers. Majors will stay at the University of Pittsburgh as an assistant to Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg, right. Gene J. Puskar / AP Photo

Tennessee head coach Johnny Majors, left, keeps an eye on his team against Arkansas Oct. 10, 1992. Arkansas upset fourth-ranked Tennessee 25-24, with a 41-yard field goal by Todd Wright in the closing seconds at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville. Rex Perry / The Tennessean

Tennessee head coach Johnny Majors, center, keeps an eye on his team against Georgia as does his assistant coaches, David Cutcliffe, second from right, and Phillip Fulmer Oct. 7, 1989. The Vols go to 5-0 for the season with a close 17-14 victory over the Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Ricky Rogers / The Tennessean

Legendary former Tennessee coach and player Johnny Majors talks to media on the green carpet during the 2017 American Football Coaches Awards at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville Jan. 10, 2017. Shelley Mays / The Tennessean

Tennessee head coach Johnny Majors, left, keeps an eye on the field against LSU Sept. 17, 1988. Winless Tennessee lost 34-9 to ninth-ranked LSU before 92,849 fans at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville. Ricky Rogers / The Tennessean

Tennessee head coach Johnny Majors attempts to get someone attention in their game against Arkansas Jan. 1, 1990. The Vols defeated the Razorbacks 31-27 in the 54th annual Mobil Cotton Bowl Classic in Dallas. Mike Dubose / The Tennessean

Tennessee head coach Johnny Majors, right, talks with an official about a call as his team rang up a sparking 28-21 victory over Wisconsin in the fourth annual Garden State Bowl at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Dec. 13, 1981. Frank Empson / The Tennessean

Tennessee head coach Johnny Majors keeps an eye on his team against Georgia Oct. 7, 1989. The Vols go to 5-0 for the season with a close 17-14 victory over the Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Ricky Rogers / The Tennessean

Tennessee head coach Johnny Majors isn't happy after a touchdown by Alabama Oct. 15, 1988. The Vols lost their sixth straight of the season, falling 28-20 to Alabama in Knoxville. Ricky Rogers / The Tennessean

Tennessee head coach Johnny Majors, left, meets with Minnesota head coach John Gutekunst in the middle of the field after the Vols won 21-14 in the Liberty Bowl Dec. 29, 1986. Rick Musacchio / The Tennessean

Tennessee head football coach Johnny Majors, left, signs autographs with young Vol fans Bethany Loudermilk and Kent Lampley during the annual summer picnic at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds July 20, 1987. Robert Johnson / The Tennessean

Tennessee head football coach Johnny Majors looks at the rainy New Jersey skies about the Giants Stadium in East Rutherford Aug. 28, 1987 before his Volunteers charge onto the artificial turf in preparation for the next day’s college football opener between Tennessee and Iowa in the 5th annual Kickoff Classic. Rick Musacchio / The Tennessean

Johnny Majors, left, David McMahan and Buddy Cruze joke and tell football stories after meeting at a restaurant in Dandridge Thursday, Mar. 21, 2013. McMahan, a 1960 graduate of East High School, was a fanatical fan of Johnny Majors and Buddy Cruze his entire youth in Knoxville. They all met Thursday in Dandridge to look at a scrapbook of their Volunteer exploits that McMahan kept for the entire year of 1956. McMahan lives in Cherryville, N.C. and has terminal lung cancer. Michael Patrick, MICHAEL PATRICK/NEWS SENTINEL

Tennessee head coach Johnny Majors, left, shows off the 52nd annual Sugar Bowl trophy they won over Miami the day before. The team was greeted by an estimated 1,500 fans as they arrived home Jan. 2, 1986. P. Casey Daley / The Tennessean

Tennessee head coach Johnny Majors doesn't like the official call in their SEC battle with Alabama. The Vols won their fourth straight over the Tide 16-14 at Legion Field in Birmingham Oct. 19, 1985. Ricky Rogers / The Tennessean

Tennessee head coach Johnny Majors is keeping an eye on his team during warm ups before their SEC battle with Alabama. The Vols won their fourth straight over the Tide 16-14 at Legion Field in Birmingham Oct. 19, 1985. Ricky Rogers / The Tennessean

Tennessee head coach Johnny Majors keeps an eye on his team in their SEC battle with Alabama. The Vols won their fourth straight over the Tide 16-14 at Legion Field in Birmingham Oct. 19, 1985. Ricky Rogers / The Tennessean

Tennessee head coach Johnny Majors is addressing an estimated 1,500 fans that welcome them home Jan. 2, 1986 after winning the Sugar Bowl over Miami the day before in New Orleans. P. Casey Daley / The Tennessean

Tennessee head coach Johnny Majors attempts to get his team in the right position during their SEC matchup with Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. Sept. 29, 1984. It wasn't enough as the Vols fall 29-10. Dan Loftin / The Tennessean

Football coaches Bobby Bowden, left, of Florida State, Johnny Majors of Tennessee and Boots Donnelly of Middle Tennessee State joins in an informal rap session at the TACA Coaching School on the MTSU campus July 19, 1984. Billy Easley / The Tennessean

Tennessee football coach Johnny Majors, right, spends a few moments with Arkansas football coach Lou Holtz during the Clinic Bowl Honors Luncheon Nov. 29, 1983 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel. The luncheon was giving by the Nashville Area Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Clinic Bowl sponsor. Robert Johnson / The Tennessean

Tennessee head football coach Johnny Majors, second from left, talks Big Orange football with Tom Barnes, left, president of Tennessee's national alumni at the annual Davidson County UT Alumni summer picnic at the State Fairgrounds Aug. 3, 1983. Listening in on the coach's remarks are Mrs. Tom Barnes, second from right, and Dave Roberts, right, the alumni's vice president. Robert Johnson / The Tennessean

Middle Tennessee State University head football coach Ben Hurt, left, and athletic director Bubber Murphy go over a game play with Pittsburgh head football coach Johnny Majors and his father, Shirley Majors, head football coach and athletic director at the University of the South at Sewanee during the TSSAA Coaches School held at MTSU campus July 23, 1976. Gerald Holly / The Tennessean

Tennessee Vols head football coach Johnny Majors, center, is signing a brochure for State Sen. Joe Haynes, left, and Judge Barbara Haynes during UT Alumni picnic at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds July 23, 1985. Ricky Rogers / The Tennessean

Middle Tennessee State University head football coach Ben Hurt, left, and athletic director Bubber Murphy go over a game play with Pittsburgh head football coach Johnny Majors and his father, Shirley Majors, head football coach and athletic director at the University of the South at Sewanee during the TSSAA Coaches School held at MTSU campus July 23, 1976. Gerald Holly / The Tennessean

Tennessee head coach Johnny Majors keeps an eye on the game as his team rang up a sparking 28-21 victory over Wisconsin in the fourth annual Garden State Bowl at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Dec. 13, 1981. Frank Empson / The Tennessean

Tennessee head coach Johnny Majors, left, and Vanderbilt head coach George MacIntyre greets at the end of a very tough game. The Vols survive 38-34 against the Commodores before 92,824 Nov. 28, 1981 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville. Frank Empson / The Tennessean

Pittsburgh head coach Johnny Majors carries the Sugar Bowl trophy after beating Georgia on Jan. 1, 1977, to secure the national title. Majors is returning to his alma mater Tennessee to become their coach. AP Photo

Johnny Majors is shown during his University of Tennessee football days as a player from 1953 to 1956. He was an All-American in 1956 and a two-time winner of the SEC Most Valuable Player award in 1955 and 1956. University of Tennessee Photo

Former Tennessee and Pittsburgh football coach Johnny Majors is greeted by Steve Spurrier's wife, Jerri, during the Robert R. Neyland Memorial Trophy award ceremony at the Foundry on Saturday, April 16, 2016. Majors is the 2003 recipient of the trophy. (Shawn Millsaps/Special to News Sentinel)

Tennessee head coach Johnny Majors, center, is leading his squad through the "T" at Neyland Stadium for their opener and his first game against California Sept. 10, 1977. But California spoiled the return of Majors as coach of his alma mater with a 27-17 before a record crowd of 84,421 fans. J.T. Phillips / The Tennessean

Tennessee head football coach Johnny Majors, left, signs autographs with young Vol fans Bethany Loudermilk and Kent Lampley during the annual summer picnic at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds July 20, 1987. Robert Johnson / The Tennessean

The topic is football in July 1977 and the man in the spotlight is University of Tennessee head coach Johnny Majors. Giving their attention to the subject are (From Left): Michael Rush, Tim Hutchinson, Briar Borr and Hammond Gibson. Dave Darnell/The Commercial Appeal

Tennessee head coach Johnny Majors keeps an eye on his team during warmups before facing Alabama Oct. 15, 1988. The Vols lost their sixth straight of the season, falling 28-20 to Alabama in Knoxville. Ricky Rogers / The Tennessean

Tennessee head coach Johnny Majors, left, meets with Minnesota head coach John Gutekunst in the middle of the field after the Vols won 21-14 in the Liberty Bowl Dec. 29, 1986. Rick Musacchio / The Tennessean

Former University of Tennessee coach, Johnny Majors, left, is swarmed by fans seeking autographs and photos during a reunion of the 1985 Sugar Bowl team at the Tennessee Theatre Friday night in downtown Knoxville.10/07/2005 Jeff Adkins/News Sentinel Archives

Head coaches George MacIntyre of Vanderbilt, left, and Johnny Majors of Tennessee meet at mid-field after the game. The Vols defeated the Commodores 51-13 before 35,100 fans at Dudley Field Nov. 29, 1980. Frank Empson / The Tennessean

University of Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer shakes hands with former UT football coach Johnny Majors as he walks by prior to the East Tennessee Chapter's National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame's 2003 Awards Banquet. Submitted

Tennessee head coach Johnny Majors, center, makes his way toward Arkansas head coach Ken Hatfield at the end of the game Jan. 1, 1990. The Vols defeated the Razorbacks 31-27 in the 54th annual Mobil Cotton Bowl Classic in Dallas. Frank Empson / The Tennessean

Shawn Millsaps/Special to News Sentinel Former Tennessee football coach Johnny Majors, left, and Steve Spurrier greet each other Saturdayat the Foundry. Spurrier, who was coach at South Carolina, Florida, and Duke, received the Robert R. Neyland Award. Shawn Millsaps

Former Tennessee coach Johnny Majors, left, talks with for Vols star quarterback Peyton Manning as they survey the renovation to the stadium on opening day before the University of Tennesee plays UT Martin at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville Sept. 4, 2010. Larry McCormack / The Tennessean

Tennessee head coach Johnny Majors, second from left, gives senior J.J. McCleskey (6) some instructions before sending him in Oct. 10, 1992. Arkansas upset fourth-ranked Tennessee 25-24, with a 41-yard field goal by Todd Wright in the closing seconds at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville. Rex Perry / The Tennessean

Former Tennessee head coach Johnny Majors, right, talks with former Vols' defensive coordinator John Chavis at the Knoxville Quarterback Club's meeting on Monday, Oct. 22, 2012. In addition to coaching with Majors, Chavis also played under him at UT in the 1970s. David Goddard/News Sentine

Former Tennessee football coach Johnny Majors, right, laughs as the and John Seigenthaler, left, tell old stories after Majors announced he has given his papers and other memorabilia chronicling his life to the Tennessee State Library and Archives Aug. 12, 2013 in Nashville. Larry McCormack / The Tennessean

CROSSVILLE – One guy was able to get away with parking his car in the restricted zone in front of the Lake Tansi Village Golf Club pro shop.

That same guy worked the crowd over breakfast. Then chased down friends on the first tee.

This was Johnny Majors’ time to shine. For two days every mid-July since 1977, the Tennessee football icon has to be on his game.

The Johnny Majors Invitational golf tournament has become as much a staple of summer in East Tennessee as humidity.

The 83-year-old former Vols player (1953-56) and coach (1977-92) hasn’t slowed down much since his heyday. He still talked a mile-a-minute, didn’t let a bunch of guys waiting on the tee box cause him to cut short a good story. Majors had no trouble remembering former players, plays — good or bad — that defined them, the hometown and high school from which they came, and even a tidbit about their family learned in the recruiting process.

Majors still sharp just like day he played QB in 1956

From left to right, Johnny Majors, Buddy Cruze, and John Gordy before the start of the 1956 season for Tennessee.(Photo: Special to the News Sentinel)

While a steady stream of ex-players, boosters and fans of Majors came through the pro shop, the coach with a 116-62-8 record at Tennessee was holding court.

He was talking about his playing days, recounting when — as the Vols' quarterback in 1956 — he called a quick kick on first-and-10 from his own 19-yard line against George Tech.

“(Georgia Tech coach) Bobby Dodd said it was the best quick-kick anyone ever called against him,” said Majors, an All-American halfback who was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1987. “We were third-and-three on our own 15. I ran around end and made (the first down) by a yard. I knew we needed to get the ball out of there. I hit that quick kick 69 yards. We had the field position (edge) the rest of the game.”

CLOSE

Legendary Tennessee coach and player John Majors talking his first game
Michael Patrick/News Sentinel

Then there was his rise up the coaching ladder. After a one-year pro playing stint with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (cut short by a shoulder injury), he spent a couple years on the Tennessee staff before moving to Mississippi State as an assistant. After four years in Starkville, Frank Broyles gave him a shot as an assistant at Arkansas from 1964-67.

“Playing on that team were (future University of Miami and Dallas Cowboys coach) Jimmy Johnson, (future Cowboys owner) Jerry Jones and (future Air Force coach) Ken Hatfield,” Majors said. “That team had some real personalities.”

Pruitt can learn from the past

The current challenge facing Tennessee football is hardly anything new or unusual.
Three times in his coaching career — first at Iowa State in 1970-71 (from 5-6 to 8-4) and twice at UT, in 1980-81 (5-6 to 8-4) and 1988-89 (5-6 to 11-1) — Majors turned a losing record into success.

The current Vols under first-year coach Jeremy Pruitt are trying to right the ship after a 4-8 campaign. When Majors looked back at the elements that made those recoveries happen, there weren’t any secrets for him to pass on.

“When we had tough times, I knew I didn’t have all the answers,” Majors said. “I’d tell the media, ‘We’re gonna keep on keepin’ on.’ If we keep on keepin’ on, we’re gonna make it better. We’re gonna come back.”

Coach Johnny Majors finished strong a couple of times to avoid eight losses. Here he is carried off the field after a 1979 win over Notre Dame.(Photo: News Sentinel)

Majors’ philosophy dated back to his upbringing. His dad Shirley Majors, Johnny’s coach at Huntland High (Franklin County, Tennessee) was an inspiration. After going 1-9 in Johnny’s freshman year, Huntland won 70 of its next 71 games — most with Johnny or one of his three brothers leading the way.

“My dad was tough and demanding,” Majors said. “If you respond to coaching and never give up, you’ve got a chance to hold your head up. I’ve been down in the dumps plenty of times, but we rarely had a team that didn’t come back and get better as the season went on.”

Former Tennessee head coach Johnny Majors during the Vol Walk before the Tennessee vs. Alabama game in Neyland Stadium Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016 in Knoxville, Tenn.(Photo: MICHAEL PATRICK/NEWS SENTINEL)

Majors sees the right qualities in place for a guy taking over the corner office for the first time in his career.

“A new coach, if he has the right background — and has been under the influence of a winning coach; a coach that teaches you never to give up — he’ll succeed,” Majors said. “You put your coaching outfit on, get out there and do the best you can.

“As long as you demand hustle and teach technique and fundamentals, you use the knowledge you have and hope you’re going to win. You have to be yourself. You can’t try to be somebody else. It won’t take long for folks to notice that right away.”